Braking apparatus



Feb.' 27, 1940. c. H. NICKELL 2,191,677

BRAKING APPARATUS Filed Jan. I5, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q L9 o 291, 29 f6 Q Q 7@ Feb- 271940- c. H. NlcKELL 2,191,677

BRAKING APPARATUS Filed Jan. l5, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 BRAKING APPARATUS Claude H. Nickell, Newcastle, Ind. Application January 15, 1938,l Serial No. 185,214

18 Claims.

'. This invention relates to brakes and more linings wear.

particularly toa combined connecting link andl adjustment device `for use in connection with multiple shoe brakes.

`After a period of use, o-rdinary brake' shoe Adjustment devices' have been providedfor taking up this wear in various ways. Inherent in' the structure of such adjustment devices it has not been uncommon toiinclude a connecting link arrangement whereby a plurality of brake shoes are tied together in operative relation to a brake drum. In some cases the connecting link is so arranged that one brake shoe. may not transmit motion through the link to' another shoe. In other arrangements the link is so associatedk with the brake shoes that the entire link may move freely to cause motion tobe transmitted from one shoe to an adjacent shoe. In still other prior devices the connecting link body is held stationary and is` provided with operative plungers extending therethrough which move freely as a unit throughout their length to transmit motion from'one shoe to an adjacent shoe.

wear of the brake shoes completely interferes with the transmission of motion from one shoe to another, while in other of the devices dis-- cussed no interference is found.

It is an :object of my invention to provide a combined brake shoe adjusting and connecting` link of relatively simple 'construction wherein modified motion may be transmittedfrom one lining may be taken up as desired.

It is av further object of my invention toprovide a combined adjusting and connecting link of a nature wherein movement of one shoe `will transmit a force.l toan adjoining shoe of varying. amount 4during its rmovement.

Other objects andthe nature and advantages of the invention will. be apparent from the following` `description taken in .conjunction with the raccompanying drawings, wherein: v

Fig.` l is a front' elevation of a brake shoe system incorporating my invention. y

Fig. 2 is a view in cross-section with parts down in elevation` of the connecting link itself and illustrating the adjustment for Wear.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged elevational "View of a connecting and adjusting link' shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a view' in perspective of porti-onsy of Inl some of theabove mentioned devices' the adjustment provided for the taking up ofrespect tol the movable brake shoes iii and lila,`

I anchor pin I8, which (Cl. 18S-79.5)

` ed form thereof. 5

Fig. '7 is a view similar to' Fig. 5, but of a stillv Ifurther modified form'.

Fig. 8 is a view similar tol Fig. 7, but of a somef what further modiied arrangement.

"ig, 9 is a view in elevatio-n of a modified form 10 ofplunge'r for use in connection with my device. -Referrng to the Figs. l, 2, 3 and 4, but particularly to Fig. 1, brake shoes I and lila are arranged for actuation by operating cam II,

'which upon being mo-ved downwardly by a rod 15 I2 spreads 'the brake shoes Ill and Illa against the tensionof lretraction springs I3, causing the linings I4 to contact brake drum I5.' The springs I3 may be of helical or any other type and are anchored to portions of lthe brake shoes Ill and 20 lila by any suitable means such ashooks formed which move ,outwardly into operative engagement with `brake drum I5 under the influence of' actuating cam I i and are retracted toward the center ofbrake carrier plate Il under the influence of retraction springs I3 when actuating cam II is released, the lower ends of the brake shoes IIl and 56a approaching and coming tightly against is Xedly associated with carrier plate I'.

` To compensate for wear of brake linings I4, I have interposed an adjustment and connecting device I9, shown in section ,in-'Fig 2, between the upper portions of brake shoes Iii and lila. To take up Wear in the linings Iii, a screw 2l) has 7neen provided with one 'of its ends formed with a polygonal ksection 2l' adapted to be turned by a wrench or key, not' shown, mating therewith and a body portion 22 threaded in screw relation to the central portion of casting 23 and a disc-like end portion 2Il"having its lower face formed with undulationsr 25l Immediately below the disc-like endA portion 24, and operative engagement therewith, pressure platel 26 is .arranged to freely slide within 55;

cylindrical bore 21 formed within casting 23. The plate 28 is formed with a groove or slot 25a in its upper portion whereby spring element 29 which is curved to correspond to each section of the undulations 25 may be held against rotation when the screw 28 is turned in either direction. With this arrangement a clicking noise is effected when the screw 2|! is turned and the spring 29 is moved from one section of the undulations to an adjoining section and acts as a lock to prevent rotation of the screw 25 whenever such rotation is not desired. y

Upon rotation of the screw 20 in a direction to cause it to move further into the bore 21 the pressure plate 26 is forced in a downwardly direction causing the cam element 28 to move in a similar direction and effecting outward movement of plungers 29a and 29D- having ends 38 and 38a in engaging relation with the faces 3I and 3Ia of cam 2B. The plungers 29a and 29h are arranged to slide within aligned bo-res 32 formed. at right angles to the bore 21 within the casting 23. 'I'he downward movement of the cam element 28 causes an o-utward movement of the plungers 29a and 29h which are slotted at their outer ends 33 and engage with the upper portions of brake shoes I and I0a, causing outward movement of the said shoes to reduce the clearance between the worn brake linings I4 and the brakedrum I5.

v With the brake drum I revolving in the direction of the arrows as shown in Fig. 1, when the actuating cam II is applied to effect a braking action, the brake shoes I0 and Illa are first moved outwardly until the linings I4 begin to contact the drum I5; further movement of the actuating cam I I from then on causes rotation of the shoe Illa which transmits motion in stepped up or modified form through plunger 29a, cam 28 which may be pivotally supported to pressure plate 26 through the medium of pin 34, through plunger 29h to brake shoe I0 which then rotates brut at a speed which may be greater or differing from that at which lila, travels, depending on the contours of the arm surfaces, until it engages anchor pin I8. Further movement of the actuating cam II transmits a similar motionfrom shoe Ia to shoe I0 but in further modified form in that the motion may be still increased during its transmission through plunger 29a, cam 28 and plunger 2Gb. As the lining wears and the adjustment screw 20 is rotated to effect movement of the cam 28 to compensate for the narrow ythinner lining, the motion transmitted from shoe I (Ia, plunger. 29a, cam 28, plunger 29h to shoe I0 is further stepped up, that is, a greater relative movement of shoe I0 takes place relative to the motion of Illa, which is sometimes desirable. It is to be understood that when the drum I5 rotates in a direction opposite from that shown by the arrow in Fig. l, that similarly, mo-

tion will be transmitted from brake shoe I0 to brake shoe IIlaI through plunger 29h, cam 28, and plunger 29a.

The plunger 28a illustrated in Fig. 2 may be considered as the driving plunger and when motion is imparted to it by shoe Illa, its curved end 38a engages the surface 3Ia of the cam 28 which rocks about the pin 34 causing the cam surface 3l to slidably engage the end 30 of the plunger 29h which moves outwardly causing rotation of the shoe I0. Because of the inclination of the cam surfaces 3l and 3Ia and the contours of the plunger ends 30 and 30a, as shown in the drawings, a predetermined movement of the plunger 29a will be increased or stepped up when transmitted to drivenplunger 29h but the force within driving plunger 28a, lwill -be decreased or stepped down in its transmission to plungerv 29h in a similar manner to that which takes place when a large force is applied to a lever fulcrumed intermediate its ends with the fulcrum closer to the end at which the force is applied. In this case the force which may be taken ofi at the opposite end of the lever will be less than the' force applied at the short or first end.

Referring to Fig. 6 the arrangement shown is.

similar to that illustratedin Figs. 2,v 3 and 4 but differing in that the cam 38 is pivoted at its lower end 39 through the mediurnof pin 40 attached to pressure plate 4I. The contours of the:4

been pointed out is pivoted at the opposite end to that shown in Fig.v2.

In the modified form of the invention illus,-y trated in Fig. 5 the cam 48 is pivotally mounted at its top through the medium of pin 49 which" is attached to the'y ears 5I) formed integral with the pressure plate 5I. In this modificationhthe plungers 52 and 52a differ somewhat from the plungers y28 and 29a in that their inner ends 53 and 53a which cooperate with the cam 48 are` slotted in a manner to engage the cam sides 54 and 54a on three surfaces. The relative movement of the plungers 52 and 52a, is similar to that which takes place in the form illustrated in Fig. 2 and already described.l The slotted end construction of the plungers 52 and 52a, prevents ythe cam 43 from turning with rotation of ad justing screw 55 and further materially decreases the necessary size of pressure plate 5I.

In the form of the inventionillustrated in Fig. 8 the cam 58 is not pivotally supported but contains four major cam surfaces 59, 60, 6I and62.-

The surfaces 68 and `6I cooperate with the coactng cam surfaces 60a, and Bla, milled at an angle in the bottom sideof the pressure plate 63-to form a track. The cam surfaces 5S and 32 cooperate with the slotted end'portionrs S4 and 65 of the plungers 68 and 63a which may be similar to the plungers 52 and 52a illustrated in the emembodiment shown in Fig. 2.- The remaining elements not described in Fig. 8` are interchangeable with those illustrated in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, which have already been described.` The effect of the rounded contours of the surfaces and 6I of the cam 58 tends to eiect a rocking motion f of the cam 58 when motion is transmitted'from the driving plunger 66a, to the driven plunger 66.

The embodiment depicted in Fig. '7 is substanillustrated in Fig. 8, all parts being interchangeable, with the exception of the cam'element 68, the contours or cam surfaces 69 and 'I3 of .which at its upper portion being formed'to correspond 75 `70 tially identical with the form vof theinvention plunger having' a round inner cam engaging end 8i) which may or may not be slotted as in plungers 'H and 'Ha in Fig. 7, which may be utilized in any of the emb-odiments already described such as that yshown in Figs. 2, 5, 6;'7. and 8. The difference betweenthis form of plunger and those already described lies'in the form ofcam engaging surface or end 80 which 'is generally arcuate in form and may be utilized to effect a modified driving action when desired.

rIhe effect on the movementof the plungers with the different positions of the wear adjustment screws in the lvarious modifications will be as follows.: The speed of driven plunger inl the form of my device illustrated in Figs-2, `5, and 8 relative to the speed of the driving plunger will be increased as the adjustment screw is lao and that it is conceivable without departure' turned to take up clearance -between the shoe linings and the drum. The speed of the driven plunger, in the form of my device illustrated in Fig. 6, relative to the speed of the driving plunger will decrease as the adjustment screw is turned to take up clearance. The relative speeds of the plungers in the forrny shown in` Fig. 7 will remain substantially constant withv variations in the adjustment for wear. f y

It is `to be understood,` however, that only some of theforms of cam surfaces have been illustrated inthe drawings and described in the specification within the scope of my invention from its spirit that other forms of cam surfaces may be utilized in connection with my device to n effect the vsame or varied 4results as desired in accordance with the conditions under which the device is to operate.` In vnone of the forms illus-` trated and described do theplungers and cam move freelyv as a unit to transmit motion from one shoe to an adjoining shoe. On the contrary in all cases the motion of the cam is at variance with-the motion of the plungers. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 the driving plunger moves at one speed in a' predetermined direction, the cam osoillates inand l is utilized in place of the connecting and adjusting link VI9 in the construction illustrated in Fig. 2 that vthe brake shoe Illa will tendv to wear at a greater rate than the brake shoe lil.

This phenomenon occurs by reason of the fact that effective braking takes place between the shoe lining lila and the brake drum l5 which generally travel in the same direction; the shoeV lining l0 traveling generally in an opposite direction from that of the brakedrum when the brakes are applied, effects no substantialv brak# ing action but a reaction taking place against the side of the cam adjacent that shoe traveling in a direction opposite' to the rotation of the drum. This abnormal wearing of .the brake shoe lining associated with brake shoe IUa is of course undesirable. It has also been found in practice thatr when Va connecting link is used which will permit absolutely free transmission of motion between shoes`l|la and I0, in place of the connecting and adjusting link I9 and the construction illustrated in Fig. 2, that the opposite effeet will take place in that the lining associated with the. shoe l0 will wear at a greater rate than the lining associated with the shoe Illa. With this arrangement the reaction eected by the friction between'the lining associa-ted with ythe shoe Iilaand the drum I5 is transmitted through the freely moving link to the lining assothe brake shoe Ill when the actuating cam H ited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the speciiication but only as indicated in the appendedclaims.y

I claim: l l. An adjusting and connecting link for brake shoes comprising a housing, a driving element andy a driven element operatively supported by said housing, means for causing a varying modiiied vmovement-of said `driven element when a predetermined movement is given to said driving element, and an' operating element' operable on said link for eifectingl adjustment of Athe distance between the driving and driven elements.

2.4 An` adjusting and connecting link for brake shoes comprising a housing, a driving `element andr a` driven element operatively supported by said housinameans for causing a varyingmodified movement of said driven. element when a predetermined movement is given to vsaid driving element, an adjustment device arranged in association with saidk driving element and said 'driven' element to affect the distance between them.

3.1An adjusting and connecting link for brake shoes'comprising a housing, a driving element and a driven'element operatively supported by said housing,means for causing a modified movevment of said driven element when a predetermined movement is given to said driving element, an adjustment device arranged in association with said driving element and said driven element to affect the distance between them', said last mentioned means including a pressure plate.

4. An adjusting and connecting link for brake shoesor 'the `like comprising a housing having I aligned .bores on opposite sides, plungers slidably. arranged in said .l bores, a cam pivotally supported and having surfaces engaging the inner surfaces of the said plungers, an adjustment device associated with said housing for causing bodily movement of said cam to affect the distance between the inner ends of said plungers, said cam being so pivotally supported and said cam surfaces having such contours, as to elect a modified movement of one of said plungers when a predetermined movement is given to the second of said plungers.

5. An adjusting and connecting link for brake shoes or the like comprising a housing having aligned bores on opposite sides, plungers slidably arranged in said bores, a cam pivotally supported and having surfaces engaging the inner surfaces of the said plungers, an adjustment device associated with said housing for causing bodily movement of said cam to affect the distance between the inner ends of said plungers.

6. An adjusting and connecting link for brake shoes `or the like comprising a housing having aligned bores on opposite sides, plungers slidably arranged in said bores, a cam pivotally supported and having surfaces engaging the inner surfaces of. the said plungers, a pressure plate arranged in engaging relationship with said cam for causing bodily movement thereof to aifect the distance between the inner ends of said plungers, and means for causing movement of said pressure plate..

7, An adjusting and connecting link for brake shoes or the like comprising a housing having aligned bores on opposite sides, plungers slidably arranged in said bores, a cam pivotally supported and havingsurfaces engaging the inner surfacesof the said plungers, a pressure plate arranged in engaging relationship with said-cam for causing bodily movement thereof to affect the distance between the inner ends of said plungers, and means forv causing movement of said pressure plate, said cam being so pivotally supported and formed with cam surfaces having such contours as to effect a modified movement of one of said plungers when a predetermined movement is given to the second of said plungers.

8. An adjusting and connecting link for brake shoes or the like comprising a housing having diametrically opposed bores, plungers slidably supported therein, a cam associated with the inner ends of said plungers in a manner to effect a modified movement of. one of the plungers when a predetermined movement is given to the second plunger, adjustment means associated with said housing and causing bodily movement of said cam to aiect the distance between the inner ends of said plungers.

9. An adjusting and connecting link for brake shoes or the like comprising a housing having diametrically opposed bores, plungers slidably supported therein, a cam associated with the in-v ner ends of said plungers in a manner to eiect a modified movement of one of the plungers when a predetermined movement is given to asecond plunger, a pressure plate for causing bodily movement of said cam, and adjusting means associated with said housing for effecting movement of said pressure plate whereby the distance between the inner ends of said plungers may be varied.

l0. An adjusting and connecting link-for brake shoes or the like comprising a housing having diametrically opposed bores, plungers slidably engaged in said bores and arranged to support a cam, an adjustment device associated with said cam in a manner to cause said cam to vary its position in relation to the .inner ends o-f said plungers to aiect the distance betweenv the said inner ends, said cam having surfaces so related to the surfaces of the inner ends of said plungers that when movement is given to one of said plungers a modified movement is effected by the second of said plungers.

l1. An adjusting and connecting link for brake shoes or the like comprising a housing having diametrically opposed bores, plungers slidably engaged in said bores and arranged to support a cam, an adjustment device including a screw associated with said housing anda pressure plate for engaging said cam in a manner for varying its position with relation to the inner ends of said plungers 'to aifect the distance between their said inner ends, saidcam having surfaces `so related to the surfaces of the inner ends of said plungers that when movement is given to one of said plungers a modified movement is effected by the second of said plungers.

l2. An adjusting and connecting link for brake shoes comprising a housing having aligned bores,

plungers slidablysupported in said bores, a camarranged to engage the inner ends of said plungers and rockably supported within said housing, adjustment means'associated with said housing causing relative movement of said cam with respect to said plungers to affect Athe distance between the outer ends of said plungers, said cam having surfaces so related'to the inner ends of said plungers as to cause a variation in movement between the same when movement is,l given to one of said plungers. f y

13. An adjusting and connecting link for brake shoes comprising a housing having aligned'bores formed therein, plungers slidab-ly supported vwithin said bores, theinner surfaces of said plungersl being slotted, cam means slidably supported within the said slotted ends, revoluble adjustment means for causing relative motion of said `cam means with respect tothe inner ends of. said plungers to affect the distance between the inner ends of said plungers, locking means for said adjusting means including a plate element having a track in engaging relation with said cam means to prevent rotation of said plate element,v4 and a spring element associated with said revoluble means and a second groove or track formedin said plate element.

14. An adjusting and connecting link for brake shoes comprising a housing having aligned bores formed therein, plungers slidably supported with-` in said bores, the inner surfaces ofsaidplungers being slotted, cam means slidably supportedk said plungers to affect the distance between the inner ends of said plungers, locking means for said adjusting means including a plate element having a trackin engaging relation with said cam means to prevent rotation of said plate element, and a spring element associated with said revoluble means and a second groove or track formed in said plate element, said cam having its surface so related to the surface of the inner ends of said plungers that when movement is given to,` one of said plungers a modied movement is effected by the second of said plungers.

15. An adjusting and connecting link for brake iii shoes comprising a housing having aligned bores rinner endsvof said plungers, locking means for said adjusting means including a plate element a trackv in engaging relation With said cam means to prevent rotation of said plate element, and a spring element associated Witlr saidy revoluble .means an'd'asecond track formed in said plate element 16. vAn adjusting and connecting link for brake shoes or the like 'comprising a housing having aligned bores on opposite sides,lp1ungers slidably arranged in said bores, a cam pivotally supported and having surfaces engaging the inner surfaces of the said plungers, an adjustment device associated with said housing for causing bodn ily-movement of said cam to aect the distance between the inner ends of said plungers, said cam b-eing'so pivotally supported and said cam surfaces having suchI contours, 'as to effect a varied modified movement of one lof said plungers When a predetermined movement is given to the second of said plungers. l 1'7. An adjusting and connecting link torbrake -shoes or `the like comprising a housing havingl diametrioally opposed bores, plungers having slotted inner ends slidabl'J supported therein, a cani associated with the inner ends of said plungers in a manner to effect a modied movement of one of the plungers when a predetermined -movement is given to the second plunger, ad.-

justment means associated with said housing for causing bodily movement of said cam to affect the distance between the inner ends of said plungers. j l.

18. An adjusting and connecting link for brake shoes or the like comprising a housing having diametrically opposed bores, plungers slidabljr supported therein, a cam associated with the inner ends of said plungers in a manner to eiect a modiiied movement of one of the plungers when a predetermined movement is given to a second plunger, a pressure element for causing bodily e movement of said cam, and adjusting means assooiated With said housing for effecting movement of said pressure plate whereby the distance between the inner ends of said plungers may be v varied.

f CLAUDE H. NICKELL. 

